Been watching this thread for a week now. It was 1 week ago when I purchased a smok Telescope (Black Chrome version) and wanted to give it a go before posting my opinions of it here. My other mod (about a month old) is a Lavatube YJ version 2.0. On this telescope I have so far only used 18650 (2 alternating) batteries, which seem to be good. These are the same batteries I got when purchasing the LT.
My conclusion , so far, I'm liking this Telescope far more than the Lavatube and here's a few reasons why.................
1. I've found (so far, within my current budget) my favorite carto/Atty is Vivi Nova Tank, and I now have 5 of them. All running the 1.8 ohm atty head. I am comparing these to startdusts, Smok DC mega cartomizer, and Boge 1.5 Ohm cartomizers (although the 1.5 Boge is prob my 2nd fave on this device). On this Telescope using Vivi Nova I've found the 1.8ohm works great, the 2.4 ohm is ok, and the 2.8 ohms not so ok( I think the 2.8's have a wicking issue, the wicks are different). So I plan on getting some backup 1.8 ohm heads soon. Using the Vivi Nova's on the LT they work great as well, but the best voltage ( since its VV ) is in the range of 3.8-4.2. My 18650 batteries fresh off the charger measure 4.1v with a volt meter, which is ideal for the Vivi's without any VV needed, hence why it works well on this Telescope with no VV. This makes using the Lavatube with the Vivi's kind of a mute point, can't tell much difference in vape production. I've also become a little weary of PWM which the LT uses, not acurate in voltage reading at all I feel. BTW...measuring the 1.8ohm heads of the Vivi's on a ohm meter (all 5 of them) they actually measure 2ohms.
2. Even though a 18650 battery last's me all day on both devices, for some reason the same battery when used on the Telescope lasts MUCH longer. After a full normal days use on the Lavatube it takes nearly 1.5 - 2 hours to recharge it, On the Telescope it takes maybe 30 mins, and still at 3.9v. ( I can also confirm this by taking a days use battery on the Telescope and putting it in the LT to check the level meter, much more life left in it than if used in the LT all day). This is using the same Vivi @ 1.8 ohm all day on both. I think the PWM on the LT drains the batteries more than it does without it on the Telescope.
3. The math (ohms law v2 / r = P) on the Telescope with a fresh battery is 4.1v x 4.1v / 2ohms = 8.4w. This is close enough feeling wise to what I would leave it on if I were to use the Vivi's on the LT all day, which makes the VV on the LT an unnecessary feature for me.
4. I plan on getting a Kick in combo with some 18500 batteries for the Telescope. This way I could maybe bump up the wattage just a little (to maybe 9) which I think may be even better for me. This would make the Telescope a set it and forget for other resistance carto's. This will also add some short protection for the Telescope, as well as some extra protection for the battery. I think this would give a more consistent all day vape on the Telescope. Conclusion here = poor mans Darwin, for 1/3 the price of a Darwin.
5. Other points - Don't have to check voltage lvl like I have to while using the the LT. I like the bottom button better than the button on the LT. The Telescope is more compact than the LT (even with the 18650 batt), which makes it better to take with me while going out. It is heavier....lol... I have a postage scale > LT with battery = 3.45oz/99gm > Telescope with battery = 4.55oz/129gm.
Yes, the Telescope had some MAJOR flaws on the initial release, but seems these have all been worked out. The Telescope version I have is the black chrome, not sure is its different than the regular chrome ones but this thing has 6 vent holes near the top, 1 in the middle, and one on the bottom for a total of 8 vents. Putting the battery in backwards does not make it fire inadvertently like I have seen in another review, checked and confirmed this, but have no way to confirm if it would if my battery was a button top type which it is not. One thing that I am not sure of yet is if the fire button is metal or plastic, but do think it's not the same material as the rest of the MOD.
I so far prefer using this over my Lavatube. It has become my main daily device for now. Seeing how so many of these LT fail over prolonged use, I feel it may prolong the life of my Lavatube as it is now my backup MOD should I ever need it. I always carry a eGo 650Mah as a backup while I'm away from home in case of a failure.
Whew....sorry for going on so long....but hope this will be helpful for anyone out there considering buying this device . Just my opinion....for $45 it's worth it. And for ~$55 more i'll be adding a Kick and 18500.
My conclusion , so far, I'm liking this Telescope far more than the Lavatube and here's a few reasons why.................
1. I've found (so far, within my current budget) my favorite carto/Atty is Vivi Nova Tank, and I now have 5 of them. All running the 1.8 ohm atty head. I am comparing these to startdusts, Smok DC mega cartomizer, and Boge 1.5 Ohm cartomizers (although the 1.5 Boge is prob my 2nd fave on this device). On this Telescope using Vivi Nova I've found the 1.8ohm works great, the 2.4 ohm is ok, and the 2.8 ohms not so ok( I think the 2.8's have a wicking issue, the wicks are different). So I plan on getting some backup 1.8 ohm heads soon. Using the Vivi Nova's on the LT they work great as well, but the best voltage ( since its VV ) is in the range of 3.8-4.2. My 18650 batteries fresh off the charger measure 4.1v with a volt meter, which is ideal for the Vivi's without any VV needed, hence why it works well on this Telescope with no VV. This makes using the Lavatube with the Vivi's kind of a mute point, can't tell much difference in vape production. I've also become a little weary of PWM which the LT uses, not acurate in voltage reading at all I feel. BTW...measuring the 1.8ohm heads of the Vivi's on a ohm meter (all 5 of them) they actually measure 2ohms.
2. Even though a 18650 battery last's me all day on both devices, for some reason the same battery when used on the Telescope lasts MUCH longer. After a full normal days use on the Lavatube it takes nearly 1.5 - 2 hours to recharge it, On the Telescope it takes maybe 30 mins, and still at 3.9v. ( I can also confirm this by taking a days use battery on the Telescope and putting it in the LT to check the level meter, much more life left in it than if used in the LT all day). This is using the same Vivi @ 1.8 ohm all day on both. I think the PWM on the LT drains the batteries more than it does without it on the Telescope.
3. The math (ohms law v2 / r = P) on the Telescope with a fresh battery is 4.1v x 4.1v / 2ohms = 8.4w. This is close enough feeling wise to what I would leave it on if I were to use the Vivi's on the LT all day, which makes the VV on the LT an unnecessary feature for me.
4. I plan on getting a Kick in combo with some 18500 batteries for the Telescope. This way I could maybe bump up the wattage just a little (to maybe 9) which I think may be even better for me. This would make the Telescope a set it and forget for other resistance carto's. This will also add some short protection for the Telescope, as well as some extra protection for the battery. I think this would give a more consistent all day vape on the Telescope. Conclusion here = poor mans Darwin, for 1/3 the price of a Darwin.
5. Other points - Don't have to check voltage lvl like I have to while using the the LT. I like the bottom button better than the button on the LT. The Telescope is more compact than the LT (even with the 18650 batt), which makes it better to take with me while going out. It is heavier....lol... I have a postage scale > LT with battery = 3.45oz/99gm > Telescope with battery = 4.55oz/129gm.
Yes, the Telescope had some MAJOR flaws on the initial release, but seems these have all been worked out. The Telescope version I have is the black chrome, not sure is its different than the regular chrome ones but this thing has 6 vent holes near the top, 1 in the middle, and one on the bottom for a total of 8 vents. Putting the battery in backwards does not make it fire inadvertently like I have seen in another review, checked and confirmed this, but have no way to confirm if it would if my battery was a button top type which it is not. One thing that I am not sure of yet is if the fire button is metal or plastic, but do think it's not the same material as the rest of the MOD.
I so far prefer using this over my Lavatube. It has become my main daily device for now. Seeing how so many of these LT fail over prolonged use, I feel it may prolong the life of my Lavatube as it is now my backup MOD should I ever need it. I always carry a eGo 650Mah as a backup while I'm away from home in case of a failure.
Whew....sorry for going on so long....but hope this will be helpful for anyone out there considering buying this device . Just my opinion....for $45 it's worth it. And for ~$55 more i'll be adding a Kick and 18500.
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You're right, it does seem hot. How's the flavor? And what kind of juice are you using that will hold up to that business?
